Thanksgiving Side Shows

Give your turkey day that extra wow with creative side dishes

By April Dembosky

Published: October 23, 2010

A little of this, a lot of that—Thanksgiving is all about the smorgasbord of flavors, and local farmers markets offer a bounty of this and that. Gather Restaurant executive chef Sean Baker likes to maximize the sampling by cutting back on all the butter, cream, and gravy that can smother holiday favorites. “That alleviates the whole ‘I need to sleep three days after I eat’ thing,” he says. His recommendations:

Grilled Baby Artichokes

• Perhaps not how the Pilgrims started off their feast but too much of a California fall hallmark to pass up. Halve baby artichokes, then steam in a basket steamer over salted water until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Cool, then brush with olive oil, and grill or broil a few minutes on each side. Serve with aioli.

Squash and Chicory Salad

• Peel and dice butternut squash (or your favorite local heirloom squash), and roast in the oven until soft, about 20 minutes, at 400 degrees. Cool slightly, then mix with a few handfuls of chicories, and toss with a red wine vinaigrette. Top with shaved aged Pecorino cheese.

Deep-Fried Brussels Sprouts

• Fill a saucepan halfway full with rice bran oil (it will expand when heated). When the oil is hot (but not smoking), drop in a couple handfuls of quartered sprouts. Deep-fry until golden, then move to a paper towel, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Images Courtesty of Shutterstock

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During the fifth annual Celebrate John Muir Health gala, more than 700 guests gathered at the Concord Jet Center at Buchanan Field and enjoyed cocktails,
a stellar dinner, music, dancing, and a live auction. The sold-out, outer space–themed party raised a record $2.25 million to support John Muir Health’s neurosciences services.

The Redford Center held its inaugural benefit at August Hall in San Francisco, honoring rapper Jaden Smith with The Robert Redford Award for his environmental activism. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed libations, bites, and a performance by actor Sean Hayes—raising more than $275,000 for the environmental nonprofit.

Common Sense, one of the nation’s leading technology nonprofits, held its 15th annual celebration at San Francisco City Hall. The night consisted of a cocktail reception and a sit-down awards dinner that recognized the visionary policy-makers, educators, and media creators—including Oakland native and Black Panther writer-director Ryan Coogler—who are helping children thrive in the digital world.

Pledge to Humanity hosted its 10th annual fundraising gala at the Round Hill Country Club in Alamo, bringing in more than $300,000 for the nonprofit’s local and international programs that empower young change-makers to participate in service opportunities. The soiree featured a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, a multicourse dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing.

Approximately 150 gardening aficionados came together at the Hilton Concord to support the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek and raised $72,000 over the course of the evening. Attendees were treated to dinner, drinks, auctions, and a magic show. Walnut Creek Councilmember Cindy Silva was honored with the Golden Barrel Award for Philanthropy on behalf of the garden.

Oakland’s Chabot Space and Science Center transformed into a magical, mysterious wonderland for its annual gala, which raised more than $240,000 for science education. The evening featured specialty cocktails, a multicourse
dinner, a live auction, and a Halloween-themed after-party.

Approximately 1,400 people participated in the annual family-friendly fundraiser at Pleasant Hill Middle School, which featured an array of activities—including mini golf, carnival games, face painting, and a pumpkin patch—as well as food trucks, music, and dancing. Proceeds benefited the Down Syndrome Connection of the Bay Area, which has provided vital programs, resources, and support for individuals with Down syndrome for 20 years.

In celebration of its popular November food issue, Diablo magazine hosted its 15th annual culinary extravaganza, which brought in nearly $4,000 for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Guests came together in Walnut Creek’s Broadway Plaza to enjoy mouthwatering fare from top East Bay restaurants; pours from numerous wineries, breweries, and distilleries; and DJ beats.

East Bay arts supporters found themselves in good spirits at this fundraiser for the Lamorinda Arts Council, as they sampled more than 20 craft cocktails created by local bartenders vying for the Audience Favorite, Art of Staging, Top Amateur, and Mixologist of the Year awards. The cocktail tasting and competition took place at Orinda Theatre Square and raised more than $10,000.

More than 120 guests joined Contra Costa Oncology for a Mexican-
themed bash at Rotator Taproom in Walnut Creek, raising nearly $5,000 for the Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area. Attendees noshed on tasty bites from the Madd Mex Cantina food truck, sipped micheladas and beer, and donned mustaches in honor of Movember—an annual multinational event that encourages men to grow mustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues.

Metallica and Janet Jackson headlined the ninth annual benefit concert for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. Thousands attended the performances at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and Civic Center Plaza as well as the pre- and post-show parties in San Francisco City Hall, raising $10 million for medical research.